FAQ

What makes Lim Tong Press, Inc. different and why should I choose your company for my printing needs?

We have been in business for over 75 years, therefore, we have the knowledge and the experience.  We work hand in hand with you in order to help you achieve your printing needs.  We have an excellent staff that is dedicated to quality and we are certainly unmatched in customer service.  We are here to fulfill your needs and make it an easy and friendly business relationship.

Products and Ordering

What type of products and services do you provide?

Good question! We are a full service printing press and offer a wide range of products and services. To see a listing and description of what we can offer you, check out the Services area on our website. Can't find the product you need? Just contact us and we will answer your queries.

How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

We would suggest you use our online estimate request form by clicking Get Free Quote. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote is to give us a call or send us an email.

What is required to process my job?

We will need to following basic information:

  • Quantity
  • Size
  • Material (type of paper, board, etc)
  • Other special requirements: lamination, numbering, binding, special color printing, spot UV, die-cut, etc
  • Sample file of material (PDF, TIFF, Photoshop file, Illustrator file). See File Preparation below for more information on file types
What is the minimum and maximum number of copies you can print?

Minimum numbers depend upon the job the printer will be taking. As far as our maximum, we do not have one. We can print orders that range from a few hundred to a few thousand.

How much will my order cost?

Our pricing is very specific to each order. However, it is primarily based on the following: size, type of material, number of colors, and the total number of pieces you wish to order. Please include this information when requesting a quote.

Can I send the files through e-mail?

Yes, there is no difference between a file copied to a CD, DVD, or flash drive (USB) and sent as an email attachment.

What other types of storage media do you accept?

We can take your files on a CD, DVD, or flash drive (USB).

How do I place an order?

You may send us a message through our Contact page or through:
Email: info@limtongpress.com
Phone: (032) 232-9767
Mobile: 0917-3255883
Office: Serafin Borces St., Mabolo, Cebu City

 

File Preparation

What file formats can you take?

We accept just about any type of file, Mac or PC. Preferred formats are - PDF, TIFF, Adobe Creative Suite (includes InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Microsoft Office and Publisher (we accept these native files but prefer PDF).

As much as possible, we discourage the use of JPEGs because most of the time they cause quality issues.  If you have other file formats, we may be able to handle them, too. Just ask!

Can I use Microsoft Office programs to design my material?

Yes, but not suggested. Microsoft Office is designed for, as the name stands for, office utilities. We recommend using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), or other similar editing softwares.

Can I make changes to my document prior to it being printed?

Yes, we have either an online proof (soft copy) or hard copy proof that you must approve before we begin printing. If changes are needed that you request us to do, you will approve the related charges before we proceed.

What I see on my computer is what I will see printed on paper, right?

No, not necessarily. Computer screens tend to render colors somewhat brighter than what will appear on a printed piece. The file may look one way on your monitor but will come out slightly different after the file is processed where the image is “ripped” (or rasterized). The reason screen color is different from print color is that it uses a different color space. Screen color is configured in RGB (Red, Green, Blue), the colors of light. Print color is configured for the four color process using CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black). Other factors that may contribute to the difference in color between your computer screen and your printed pieces are the calibration of your monitor and the paper stock you select.

What is the difference between the RGB and CMYK color space and why does it matter?

RGB refers to the primary colors of light, Red, Green and Blue, which are used in monitors, television screens, digital cameras and scanners. CMYK refers to the primary colors of pigment: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These are the inks used on the press in "4-Color Process Printing", commonly referred to as "Full Color Printing". The combination of RGB light creates white, while the combination of CMYK inks creates black. Therefore, it is physically impossible for the printing press to exactly reproduce colors as we see them on our monitors.

We request that you convert your colors from RGB to CMYK if your tools allow you to. By doing it yourself, you have maximum control over the results. You may notice a shift in color when converting from RGB to CMYK. If you do not like the appearance in CMYK, we recommend that you make adjustments while working in CMYK (usually lightening). However, if you are unfamiliar with this process, feel free to contact us and we shall assign our graphic artists to assist you!

What are Pantone® colors?

The Pantone® Matching System (PMS) is a standard color-matching system used by printers and graphic designers for inks, papers and other materials. Each PMS color is standardized by the percentage mixtures of different primary inks that make the color. For swatch samples, comparisons of PMS colors to process color and other information go to www.pantone.com.

What are the requirements for images and graphics for printing?

It is essential that all of the photographs and images in your in files are at least 300 dots per inch (DPI). If you have ever seen printed material that contains blurry or blocky images, it was likely caused by incorporating low resolution images. Ensuring a high quality printed job is as simple as making sure all photos and images in your digital files are all high resolution. The only way to ensure picture perfect high quality printing of your photos and images is to start with a high resolution image.

 

Material

What are my paper choices?

We have a wide range from which to choose from such as coated papers and boards with a smooth and glossy feel as well as uncoated and textured papers. The choice of stock is entirely yours but will often be dictated by the print process and the design of the piece.

What is the difference between Matte and Gloss Paper?

Matte is a coated paper that has a "light gloss" finish. It is often used to make pages easier to read that are text intensive and does not reflect under light. Gloss stock is a coated paper with a shiny or highly reflective finish. It is most often used in 4-color printing to help full color photographs, images and graphics appear more vivid, real, and appealing.

Will you match a sample printed out on my own printer, or a previously printed sample?

There is no guarantee that your finished piece will approximate your printed sample. This is due in part to the widely varying results from different output devices including inkjet and laser printers, continuous tone proofing devices, high-resolution film-based proofs, and different than true offset lithography. Even from one commercial printing firm to another, there can be significant differences in results. In particular, inkjet and laser prints are known to look substantially different than true offset lithography.

The final product we produce for you is unlikely to match the output from your inkjet -- it will look more professional!

 

Printing Process

What’s the difference between Digital Printing & Offset Printing?

Offset: a project that is printed on a printing press with separate units for each color involved in the print piece. Offset Printing is usually used for long runs and large print pieces, or large quantities.

Digital: direct transfer from file to digital printing machine using toner and digital imaging units. Digital printing is typically used for small runs.

How long will it take to get my order?

It really depends on the amount of work involved. Once we receive the order, discuss the specifics (such as whether or not design work is involved), and you approve the artwork, we can give you a more accurate completion date. If we are missing any element of a file, we will contact you or someone at your organization as soon as possible to get the missing information, so please be sure to provide accurate contact information with your incoming order. We always strive to provide an accurate estimate of the turnaround time for each job we do and we’ll always work with you to find ways to complete your project when you need it.